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Faculty & Staff

Chang-ho Ji PhD, Dean, Professor

  • BA, Political Science, Yonsei University
  • MA, Political Science, University of Alberta
  • MA, Religion, Andrews University
  • MA, Education, Andrews University
  • PhD, Education, Andrews University
  • PhD, Political Science, University of California, Riverside

Research Interests: Psychometric, Moral Development, Educational Politics and Policy. 

Administrative Support

Lizeth Gutierrez Administrative Assistant to the Dean

  • BA, Communication, California State University, San Bernardino 

Office of Student Services & Records (OSSR)

Christina Kim Director, Student Services & Records

  • BA, Journalism, University of Georgia
  • M.A.Ed, Education, Ashford University

Marissa Urquides Coordinator, Student Services & Records

  • BA Psychology, California State University, San Bernardino

SE Office of Enrollment & Communication

Aliah Martinez Director

  • BA, Criminal Justice, La Sierra University
  • MA, Counseling, La Sierra University

Credential Analyst

Sylvia Cordoba Credential Analyst

  • Credentialing Services Office

Department of Education & Leadership

Keith Drieberg PhD, Chair, Associate Professor

  • BA, Theology, Loma Linda University
  • MA, Counselor Education, Loma Linda University
  • MA, Instructional Technology, California State Long Beach
  • MLS, San Jose State University
  • MA, School Psychology, U.S International University
  • MPH, Health Administration, Loma Linda University
  • PhD, Psychology, Alliant International University
  • ATD- Master Trainer
  • Licensed Applied Behavior Analyst (MA #1710)
  • Neuropsychologist (CA PSY13844)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologist ( CA EK1796)

Research Interests: Neuroscience in Education, Teacher Leadership & Social-Emotional Learning.

David Penner PhD, Director of Leadership Studies, Professor

  • BA, History, Newbold College
  • MA, History, Andrews University
  • PhD, Educational Administration and Supervision, Andrews University

Research Interests:  Leadership, Employee Engagement, Leading through Transition and Change

Maria Kim MS, Assistant Professor

  • BS, Biology, Andrews University
  • MS, Biology, Loma Linda University
  • Single-Subject Credential, Biological Sciences, California State University, Fullerton

John Chen PhD, Assistant Professor

  • PhD, Educational Administration, Andrews University
  • M.S Exercise Science, Washington State Univeristy 

Research Interests: Best Practices for Educational Admins, Stress and Mental Health in Educational Admin, Legal aspects and best practices in Educational Admin, Special Education issues in Adventist K-12 Schools.

Vy Cao PhD, Assistant Professor

  • BA, Business Administration, Sai Gon University
  • MBA, California State University, East Bay
  • PhD, Instructional Leadership, La Sierra University

Research Interests: Social Identity, Ethnic Minorities, Youth Psychology, Media Use, and Positive Psychology

August Champlin PhD, Associate Professor

  • BA, Music, La Sierra University
  • MA, English, La Sierra University
  • MA, Education, TESOL Concentration, La Sierra University
  • PhD, Education, University of California, Riverside

Research Interests: Writing Methods, TESOL Methods, Standards Based Learning, Holistic Educational History & Methods

Department of Behavioral Health

Sophorn Choau PhD, LMFT, Assistant Professor, co-chair

  • BA, Psychology, University of California, Riverside
  • MA, Psychology, Chapman University, Ontario
  • PhD, Marital and Family Therapy, Loma Linda University

    Research Interests: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Intergenerational Transference, Postpartum Depression, Neurodiversity and Sports Performance, Gambling Disorder

Zixuan "Sharon" Zhao PhD, Assistant Professor, co-chair

  • BA, Journalism and Communication, South-Central University for Nationalities
  • MA, Teaching, University of Southern California
  • MA, Counseling, La Sierra University
  • PhD, Leadership specialization in Educational Psychology, La Sierra University

    Research Interests: 

Dora Clarke-Pine PhD, Associate Professor

  • BS, Psychology, Andrews University
  • MA, Community Counseling, Andrews University
  • PhD, Counseling Psychology, Andrews University

Research Interests: Personality/gender issues, counseling theory, juvenile crime. 

Shirley Gregg PhD, Associate Professor

  • BS, Nursing, Loma Linda University
  • MA, Counseling, Loma Linda University
  • EdS, School Psychology, La Sierra University
  • PhD, Health Psychology, Capella University

Sandra Banjoko PhD, RDN, LMFT, Assistant Professor

  • BA, Culinary Nutrition, Johnson Wales University
  • RDN, Registered Dietian Nutritionist
  • MA, Public Health, Loma Linda University
  • MA, Marriage and Family Therapy
  • LMFT, Licence Family and Marriage Therapist
  • PhD, Systems, Families, and Couples, Loma Linda University 

Center for Research on K-12 Adventist Education

Elissa Kido Ed.D., Professor, Curriculum and Instruction; Director, Center for Research on K-12 Adventist Education

  • BS, English and Biology. Pacific Union College
  • MA, English. California State University
  • EdD, English Education. Boston University
Research Interests: Neuroscience and education, teaching writing and multicultural literature
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