Cultual Celebration: Asian Pacific Islander

Samuelu Poueu

Bachelor of Arts: Kinesiology: Health Promotion

Hometown

Rohnert Park, California

My Greatest Supporters

My greatest supporters will always be family(Mom, Dad, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, and nephews). Strength in numbers. As an adopted boy from American Samoa, my family has loved and supported me from day one. My biological family has been there for me as well. Good times and bad, trials and tribulations. Their unconditional love and support has been felt since they've come into my life.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

It wasn't until I attended the transfer info session in the Spring of 2018 that I knew that this institution would be where i wanted to complete my undergraduate degree. My 7 and a half-year-old son Dillon, who has been the impetus and catalyst to my return to academia lives in Lafayette. Saint Mary's clearly had the proximity advantage when it came to deciding where I was going to transfer to...

My Next Chapter

My major is Kinesiology with an emphasis in Health Promotion. My heart's goal is to contribute and implement greater Public Health infrastructure within the disenfranchised communities of the Bay Area. I will apply and build a career within the county department of Public Health to begin. "Arrive to learn, leave to serve"

Clubs and Activities

High Potential program and Transfer-Student mentor

Favorite Quote

" Though no one can go back and create a new start; anyone can start now and can create a new ending"- Carl Bard
"The task is to transform society; only the people can do that - not heroes, not celebrities, not stars."- Huey P. Newton
" It all works out in the end. If it's not working out right now; that just means it's not the end."- Anonymous

Anisha Dhillon Singh

Master of Arts in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counselor

Douglas Nishimura Isidro

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Jennifer Van

Master of Arts in Leadership

Hometown

Woodland, CA

My Greatest Supporters

"My Ohana"! Family, both blood and not - they're the people in my life who want want me in theirs; the ones who accept me for who I am, the ones who would do anything to see me smile and who love me no matter what.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

In-person Executive Weekends and all the laughs, tears, and growth we cultivated on our learning journey with my amazing cohort GLD 43!

My Next Chapter

Embracing the art of guiding others to develop trusting, congruent, and engaged teams; By practicing deep listening and being mindful of the pillars of emotional intelligence that are interwoven into a leader's way of thinking, behaving, and communicating, leaders support, challenge, and motivate their team to develop and grow.

Favorite Quote

"We desperately need more leaders who are committed to courageous, wholehearted leadership and who are self-aware enough to lead from their hearts, rather than unevolved leaders who lead from hurt and fear."

— Brene Brown

Melissa Fay Lok-Lee

Master of Arts in Leadership

Hometown

Castro Valley, CA

My Greatest Supporters

My husband, my kids, my extended family, the professors of KSOE and of course Cohort 42's MA Leadership group.

BriYana Linda NeShelle Butler

Master of Arts in Leadership

Hometown

San Francisco, CA

My Greatest Supporters

I am eternally grateful for My Tribe, Waka 42, and those who extended a little extra love and patience to me along the way. I love you all, deeply! This journey, this wisdom, this degree is in honor of my ancestors. I am them, they are me.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Every moment spent in healing, growing, and sacred bonding with my new family, Cohort 42.

My Next Chapter

My journey forward remains deeply rooted in the equity and liberation work among my community. Most importantly, I will continue my personal journey, full of healing, growing, and learning. Self-love and preservation are my sacred priorities. Keeping my cup full, so that I may pour into others.

Favorite Quote

“If grief can be a doorway to love, then let us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again.”

— Robin Wall Kimmerer

Marci Bach Van Horn

Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership

Hometown

San Jose

My Greatest Supporters

There are too many to list considering this only provides me with 400 characters and if you're really curious, you can read my dedication and acknowledgment page in my dissertation. However, the greatest supporter I had, I lost during this process, my Dad. I know he's laughing somewhere telling people his daughter is now a Doctor but not the kind who can prescribe medicine.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

My favorite Saint Mary's memory was the time spent with Cohort 17. We've cried, laughed, and cried some more. While our meals gave us sustenance, our friendships fueled the soul.

My Next Chapter

To enjoy the next year without having to write a single paper! While the writing improved by ability to discuss theoretical frameworks, analyze data and use transitional phrases, I will not miss it. I look forward to watching a Netflix series without an open laptop on the coffee table while rifling through the APA manual. All kidding aside, I look forward to the next chapter whatever it may be!

Clubs and Activities

American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

Favorite Quote

I would hate for someone to look at my shoes and say, “Oh my God! They look so comfortable!”‘ – Christian Louboutin

Jeannine Marie Manguiat Megia

Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership

Hometown

Oakland, California

My Greatest Supporters

My parents, my son Colton, and my husband Rex have especially supported me all through this journey! They have encouraged me, celebrated with me, and taken things off my plate when I’ve needed extra study time. My family has been a huge support! Cohort 17 has also been a great support. I've learned from and been inspired by each one of them and am thankful to have been on this journey with C17!

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

Cohort check-ins at the beginning of class on Friday evenings were my favorite Saint Mary's memory! The community and support C17 built throughout this program kept me going when things got difficult. We were more than classmates, we became a family. I feel so blessed to have been part of such an amazing cohort!

My Next Chapter

I plan on continuing to work as an educational leader while applying what I've learned throughout this program to the field. I am excited to continue reading and researching about how we can close the opportunity and discipline gaps while committing to that work. In my post-dissertation chapter, I am also looking forward to having freer weekends to spend more time with family and friends!

Favorite Quote

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly
-Micah 6:8

To the children of our country,… Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they’ve never seen it before. But know that we will applaud you every step of the way.
-Vice President Kamala Harris

Cristina Pelayo

Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling With a School Counseling Credential

Kiran Bains Sahota

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: Fiction

Hometown

Yuba City, CA

My Greatest Supporters

My greater supporters come from the huge family that supports me through every reading, publication, and success. But most of all, my great-grandmother and mother who raised me are my greatest inspirations.

Favorite Saint Mary's Memory

I loved being in person and attending readings, grabbing tea from the café, and having workshop with my amazing peers. Even digitally, every moment with them are times I laugh, think, and savor. I will always be grateful to the MFA in Creative Writing program for giving me some astounding and supportive friends, and giving me the best two years of my life thus far.

Favorite Quote

“We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains. 93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people names.”

— Nikita Gill