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Antioch University Santa Barbara Alumni Association

The Antioch University Santa Barbara Alumni Association was formed to promote the interests of Antioch University Santa Barbara (AUSB) alumni by providing a continued partnership with AUSB.  

The AUSB Alumni Association’s purpose is to provide outreach and support by maintaining communication with alumni, coordinating and conducting alumni events, offering mentoring and career advancement assistance, and helping to connect the Association and AUSB with the community-at-large in order to promote the welfare of the community and its constituents.

The Association also sponsors professional networking events and alumni outings and provides support for community projects.

If you are an AUSB alumnus, you are automatically considered a member of the Antioch University Santa Barbara Alumni Association. That also makes you a part of the university’s wider alumni community of over 30,000 graduates – a richly diverse and global family with a shared experience and tremendous pride in our Alma Mater. Welcome!

The AUSB Alumni Association’s Steering Committee is comprised of fourteen members, including a student and Board of Trustees representative, and is tasked with providing guidance and assistance with alumni activities.  The committee meets bi-monthly on Wednesday evenings.

If you are interested in joining the steering committee, please contact Kristine Schwarz at kschwarz@antioch.edu or 805.962.8179 ext 5171.

Alumni Association Steering Committee Biographies

Kristine J. Schwarz (MACP 2002)
Chair

Kristine Schwarz is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice and the owner of Santa Barbara Psychotherapy®.  Ms. Schwarz is also Associate Director for Institutional Advancement at AUSB, where she oversees alumni and community outreach activities.  She was previously AUSB Core Faculty and Clinical Director of the MACP Program and served as Founding Chair of the MFT Consortium of the Central Coast Region and Central Coast Chair of MFT Leadership Collaborative.  Her earlier clinical experience includes posts at Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, Goleta Valley Union School District, Working Alternatives Federal Prisoner Reentry Program, Full Spectrum Recovery and the COPE Program at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.  As well, Ms. Schwarz is certified in School and Community-Based Post Traumatic Stress Management and Psychological First Aid.  

Ms. Schwarz conducts workshops on a variety of topics and has presented at conferences nationally including Northwestern University's CANS Conference; Child Welfare League of America's Finding Better Ways Conference; Terrorism and Psychosocial Preparedness: Impact on Children and Families Consortium Meeting; The California Wellness Foundation’s Conference on Increasing Diversity in the Health Professions; and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children's 12th Annual Colloquium.  

Prior to pursuing a career in education and psychotherapy, Ms. Schwarz worked for 15 years as a producer and executive in the entertainment industry at the Walt Disney Studios, Paramount Studios, and Warner Bros. Studios, among others.  She continues her work in the creative arts as a psychotherapist and mentor to young writers.

Dee Dee Barrett (BA 2007)
Board of Trustees Representative

Dee Dee Barrett is an International Buyer for a group of Caribbean hotels’ gift shops. By background, Ms. Barrett was a model in New York and a Flight Attendant for American Airlines. She has lived in London, Paris, the Caribbean, Florida and New York. A self-made businesswoman, she dropped out of high school to care for an ailing grandmother. Years later, she returned to college by taking classes first at the College of London, later at Santa Barbara City College and then at AUSB where she earned a BA in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Communication Studies. Her daughter, Nicole, also graduated from AUSB and inspired her to complete her degree.

Ms. Barrett is a philanthropist devoted to non-profit work including agencies such as Hospice and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (CADA). In these roles she has been responsible for annual fundraising events such as The Amethyst Ball for CADA and the Go Red for Women and Heart Ball Gala events for the Heart Association. She has traveled to Antigua to distribute food to the poor. She has been recognized for her dedication and leadership by election to the above boards and served as President of the Heart Association Board and presently serves as Vice President of CADA.

Ms. Barrett received Antioch’s Horace Mann Award from AUSB in 2007 for her involvement in the student community and her outstanding community service.

Jill Frandsen (MACP 2012)
Student Representative

Jill Frandsen is the Student Coordinator for the Office of Institutional Advancement at AUSB. Ms. Frandsen earned her BA in Sociology with a Certificate in Global Peace & Security from UCSB. In pursuit of her Master’s in Clinical Psychology Degree and her Marriage & Family Therapist license, Jill is currently training as a counselor at Pacific Pride Foundation and at El Camino Elementary School.

A certified flower essence practitioner and trained clairvoyant, Jill does energy healing and produces herbal supplements as proprietor of FloraDeva. An intrepid activist, Jill recently joined the statewide ballot initiative campaign to Label GMO’s as a regional coordinator. She enjoys living in Santa Barbara with her husband and two teenage sons and looks forward to spending more time with them when she graduates this coming spring.

Yvette Ardds  (BA 2011)

Yvette Ardds just recently graduated from the BA program at AUSB with an emphasis in Business Management. Originally from the Bay Area, she moved to Santa Barbara in 2003 and continues to call this community home. Ms. Ardds has worked in the Accounting and Payroll fields for the past 15 years and has served on the board of the American Payroll Association Santa Barbara Chapter as a Certified Payroll Professional trainer. She plans to pursue an MBA over the next three years.

Norma A. Bahena (BA 2005 & MAOM 2006)

After growing up in Mexico City, Norma Bahena moved to Santa Barbara where she attended Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and earned an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems.  She graduated from AUSB with a BA in Liberal Studies, and went on to receive her Master’s in Organizational Management in 2006.  Ms. Bahena began her career in education while she was attending SBCC.  Her passion for education only grew as she interacted with students, faculty and administrators and she began teaching for Continuing Education in the area of technology.  

Ms. Bahena’s administrative responsibilities in the Community College system include oversight of programs in Computer Instructional areas where she is actively involved in key initiatives critical to the college such as Program Review, Curriculum Development Student Learning Outcomes; and the Institutional Self Study for Reaffirmation of accreditation for SBCC.  Currently Ms. Bahena is working on the development and approval of the first Bilingual Computer Certificate for Continuing Education.  

Ms. Bahena serves on several committees including the Community Technology Policy Group, the Work Investment Board (Youth Council), and most recently Ms. Bahena is excited to be a part of the AUSB Alumni Association Steering Committee.

Steve Caputo (MAOM 1997)

In 1997 Steve Caputo graduated from the MAOM program at AUSB and immediately leveraged his education into a way of life in organizational development and training both as a consultant and an internal practitioner.  Additionally he started his academic teaching by becoming an adjunct faculty member at Antioch.  Mr. Caputo has provided training, instructional design, and facilitation to numerous groups in a variety of subjects including: project management, problem solving, group dynamics, facilitation skills, brainstorming, strategic planning, time management, systems theory, and team building.  

Mr. Caputo’s style of training methodology is a combination of training and entertainment which he likes to call “entertrainment”.  He has done projects for a variety of organizations including the University of California at Santa Barbara, Antioch University, University of Minnesota, The Towbes Group, The Junior League of Santa Barbara, Verizon, Mercer Global Advisors, Ericsson, Inamed, The Child Protective Services, and Cottage Health System.  Most recently Mr. Caputo led a program on leadership and change with the US Army.

Ingrid Elken (BA 2010)

The most exciting and creative period of Ingrid Elken’s professional service working for young children was when she directed two distinctively different non-profit Early Childhood Programs, the Four Winds School in Ojai and Trinity Baptist Preschool in Santa Barbara. Ms. Elken is now the Lead Toddler Teacher with the Orfalea Family Children’s Center Early Childhood Care and Education Services at UCSB’s University Children’s Center. Her previous experience working with children’s resource organizations enabled her to oversee several aspects of the Children’s Center, including planning and implementation for the NAEYC accredited center, teaching and supervision of Student Teacher Assistants, and providing support for the parents.

Ms. Elken also currently volunteers for the Royal Family KIDS, a non-profit, all volunteer-based organization with a mission to confront abuse and change the lives of children who have been abused and/or neglected. Ms. Elken has been instrumental in organizing many local philanthropic endeavors, such as the Children’s Art in the Park during the Annual Ojai Music Festival; the Children’s Event Festival at Libbey Park; and the distribution of free books for children’s service groups in both English and Spanish.  

Paul Kroekel (MACP 1998)

Paul Kroekel, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, earned his BS from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and after serving in the USAF, he earned his MBA from Arizona State University and his Master’s in Clinical Psychology from AUSB.  He has worked as a product manager in the medical device and computer technology industries.  

Mr. Kroekel served as a volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and served on the CASA Board of Directors.  Mr. Kroekel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Santa Barbara.

Jackie Kurta (MACP 2002)

Jacqueline Kurta, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, is the Acting Director of the UCSB Alcohol and Drug Program, and concurrently works as Assistant Coordinator of the UCSB Student Mental Health Program. Ms. Kurta received a B.A. in English from Tufts University, her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from AUSB, and most recently her Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is in the midst of completing her dissertation. Originally from New York City, Ms. Kurta and her family relocated to Los Angeles in 1987 and they have made Santa Barbara their home since 2000.

In addition to her work at UCSB, Ms. Kurta currently serves as Clinical Supervisor for Casa Serena, a Women’s Residential Recovery Program and maintains a private practice in Santa Barbara. She serves as an adjunct faculty for AUSB and guest lecturer for Pacifica Graduate Institute. Ms. Kurta has served on the Board of the Santa Barbara Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists since 2005 in a variety of capacities, ranging from Co-President to her current position as Coordinator of Disaster Mental Health Services.

Over the years, Ms. Kurta has also offered her services to valuable Santa Barbara community organizations, including Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, Family Court Mediation Program of Santa Barbara County, the American Red Cross of SB County, Transition House, El Puente School and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Her additional interests include travel, skiing, cycling and joining her family and friends in enjoying all that Santa Barbara has to offer.

Sarah Macias (BA 2010)  

For the past decade Sarah Macias has taught an array of children from various backgrounds between the ages of two and 18.  She first began pursuing this career at an early age by volunteering at Ocean View Preschool located in a low-income housing neighborhood of Oxnard. This experience sparked her interest in early childhood social and cognitive development which led her to pursue a career in the field.  Beginning with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts, Ms. Macias found employment at a local Boys & Girls Club and later at a Ventura Preschool.  She then moved to Goleta to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree at Antioch University.  

Ms. Macias’ current employment is with the University of California Santa Barbara’s Early Child Care and Education Center where she finds delight in caring for and teaching the children of students, faculty and professors.  Ms. Macias befriends many of the international students whom she has met through Chi Alpha at UCSB and enjoys enriching those who aspire to acquire knowledge regarding American culture and customs.  She also volunteers time assisting with the children ministries at South Coast Church in Goleta in order to enlighten the young on biblical principles and values.  In the 4 years that Ms. Macias has lived in the Santa Barbara area, she has found richness in the diversity of people who are employed, reside, and study there. This atmosphere has given her a genuine respect and appreciation for those in her community.

Barbara Savage (MAOM 2008)

Over the past fifteen years, Barbara Savage has served as President of the Tribal Trust Foundation, dedicating her time, energy, expertise, and resources to further its mission to help preserve the living arts of indigenous people. She has personally witnessed the struggle for survival of indigenous peoples throughout the world and identified the sustainable cultural preservation projects supported by the foundation. She has produced two documentary films for the Tribal Trust Foundation and most recently organized, Mbuti: Children of the Forest, a traveling photographic exhibition. As an educator, Ms. Savage has been invited to share her experiences implementing the mission of the Tribal Trust Foundation with students of all ages, including at the university level.

In her capacity as Buyer for the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Store, Ms. Savage has drawn upon her experience as a craft gallery owner and owner of a company that created and sold sacred jewelry, art, and artifacts to successfully introduce and foster a market for handmade Fair Trade products that support indigenous communities throughout the world. Ms. Savage applied her MAOM studies at AUSB to the museum store. Her business plan for the store facilitated the creation of an online store and transformed the museum store into a popular destination for unique affordable gifts and a profit center for the museum.  

Debra Stanfield (MACP 2005)

Debra Stanfield is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Santa Barbara who has specialized training in working with people who have chronic pain, chronic disease, anxiety, depression, and chemical dependency.  For the past five years Ms. Stanfield has been facilitating groups at Recovery Road Medical Center Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program assisting patients and their families with the challenges of living with a medical diagnosis and a mental health diagnosis. Ms. Stanfield encourages patients to respect their diagnoses, create meaningful lives, and live in fulfillment and hope with their physical or emotional disabilities.  
 
Ms. Stanfield maintains a private practice in Santa Barbara where she enjoys working with individual, couples, and families. She has a B.A. from the University of California Santa Barbara in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from AUSB and has been actively serving on the Santa Barbara County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board for the past 4 years.

Ms. Stanfield is a California native, the fortunate mother of three wonderful adult children and two beautiful grandchildren.  She has lived in Santa Barbara for eight years and loves to garden as much as possible.   

Lorrie Thomas Ross (BA 2003 & MAOM 2008)

Lorrie Thomas Ross is a speaker, trainer, marketing expert and CEO of Web Marketing Therapy, a marketing agency and training company that diagnoses, prescribes and guides healthy marketing solutions.  Her expertise empowers organizations to create scalable web solutions that brand, build and boost business.  She teaches workshops directly for corporations and also through UC Berkeley Extension.  

Ms. Thomas Ross was on the founding team at ValueClick Media.  She speaks nationally on a number of marketing-related topics and writes for several online publications.  She is the author of The 36 Hour Course to Online Marketing (McGraw-Hill).  She has been featured in the media as a web marketing expert by INC, Forbes, SUCCESS Magazine, the Associated Press, eCommerce Times, Entrepreneur, DM News and Tech News World. 

Antioch University Santa Barbara Alumni Events

AUSB Annual Alumni and Friends Holiday Party.

Invited guests will enjoy an evening of networking, munching and celebrating at our 2nd Annual Holiday Party. Contact Kristine Schwarz at 805.962.8179 ext. 5171 or kschwarz@antioch.edu with questions.
 

Previous Events

Visit Lotusland with the AUSB Alumni Association!

On Saturday, August 6th, a group of AUSB alumni and special friends attended a fabulous tour and reception at Ganna Walska’s Lotusland.

The lotuses were in bloom! A summer day to remember, the AUSB Alumni daytrip to Lotusland was awe-filled and inspiring.  After the Santa Barbara morning fog burned off, it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day at the Montecito Estate named by Madame Ganna Walska ‘Lotusland’.  AUSB Alumni and friends gathered at the visitor’s center and were led on stunning tours of the grounds by volunteer docents.  Each guest experienced an intimate two-hour tour of the gardens, pools, ponds and unique features of Lotusland.

Our docents were very knowledgeable about Madame Ganna Walska and we were treated to historical insights into her extraordinary life.  Madame Walska had a keen insight and love of extraordinary and unusual plants and partnered with world renowned landscape architects and local area experts of her time in the development of the property.

One of the oldest features is the stunning lemon arbor and one of the newest features is the cactus garden, which is so unreal it feels as if you are in another world. The single blossoms were captivating in the Japanese Garden and the single and double blossoms were breathtaking in the Water Garden. A symbol of enlightenment, the tall lotus shoots up from the murky bottom of the pond to several feet above the water, blooming for only three days.

Our tour ended at a reception at the former residence of Madame Ganna Walska, a little house under the trees. The smell of plumeria blossoms wafted in the air and the soothing gentle bubbling sound of the outdoor patio fountain created an intimate and unforgettable backdrop for the reception that followed. AUSB President Nancy Leffert and AUSB Board of Trustees Chair Victoria Riskin spoke briefly about the upcoming campus grand opening in the fall and to AUSB’s commitment to the continued success of our Alumni Association.

Ganna Walska Lotusland is a 37-acre botanical wonder containing subtropical and tropical plants from around the world. Lotusland is home to several extraordinary collections including rare cycads, cacti, palms and euphorbias.  Additional gardens feature ferns, aloes, succulents, lotuses, waterlillies, and bromeliaeds. Theme gardens include the blue garden, theatre garden, butterfly garden and a Japanese garden.  Lotusland incorporates the principles of sustainability into the preservation and maintenance of its extraordinary plant collections.

Madame Ganna Walska, a well-known Polish opera singer and socialite, purchased the estate in 1941 and spent the next 43 years of her life designing unusual display gardens with exotic plants. In creating Lotusland, Madame Walska experimented freely with bold forms and unusual color combinations.  After Madame Walska’s death in 1984, Lotusland became a nonprofit educational institution and opened to the public in 1993. Visit their website for more information at www.lotusland.org.

Photos by Bill Dewey

Hearst Castle and Hearst Ranch Winery Daytrip
Saturday, May 14, 2011, 7am – 7pm

Alumni and special friends of Antioch University Santa Barbara gathered together for an enchanting day trip to Hearst Castle and Hearst Ranch Winery on May 14th. Friends, community members, and alumni made new connections from the moment we shared fresh coffee and pastries boarding the Santa Barbara Airbus.

View Our Flickr Slideshow

Upon our arrival in San Simeon, we began our “Experience Tour” of the five-story Hearst Castle Theater to watch ‘Hearst Castle: Building the Dream’. Combining vintage clips and stills from the 1920s and 30s, the documentary was a classic cinematography delight. The weather and mood at the castle were both bright and cheery as we toured the sprawling gardens, terraces and beautiful buildings of the Hearst Castle, including Casa Grande and Neptune’s Pool.

Following a fine lunch at Hearst Castle, the bus headed to Hearst Ranch Winery in Paso Robles. We were greeted by AUSB President Nancy Leffert, her husband Mark Leffert, and their son Jeremy Leffert – Hearst Ranch Winery viticulturist and winemaker.

Time on the tours allowed our group of alumni and guests to engage in inspiring conversation, sharing life stories. “We really bonded as a group, while our senses were quenched with fine art, good food, quality wine, and laughs!” commented alumna Lorrie Thomas.

For the wine aficionados, we were treated to a special tasting and enjoyed sampling the 2008 ‘Glacier Ridge’ Chardonnay and the 2007 ‘Lone Tree’ Cabernet Franc. We had the opportunity to taste a pre-release of the Hearst Ranch Vineyards stellar vintages making their debut, including the 2009 "Babicora" Malbec and the 2009 "Chileano" Tempranillo. One of the highlights of our private wine tasting was the limited release 2010 “Solace,” a Tempranillo Rosé which benefits the Hearst Cancer Resource Center located in San Luis Obispo, California.

All who attended had a spectacular time, and we’ve shared our photos here. AUSB alumni and our special guests hope to make this one of many annual events to make friends and have fantastic conversations. We hope to see you there next year!

About Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle is one of the largest of approximately 5,000 historic house museums in the U.S., with one of the most sophisticated guided tour programs in the country. Once the home of William Randolph Hearst, California State Parks strives to keep the estate looking like a private residence. The tours take the visitor back into time through the interpretation of a combination of many aspects regarding the estate, including William Randolph Hearst and his family, and the collection, architecture, gardens and lifestyle at the Castle.
 

Hearst Ranch Winery

Hearst Ranch Winery was started in 2009 by Jim Saunders, a long time Paso Robles grape grower, and Steve Hearst. The pair found that they had many commonalities such as philanthropy, environmental stewardship, and sustainable agriculture. The vision of Hearst Ranch Winery became real and their first vintages were sent to bottle in January of 2010.

Links to destination websites:

Hearst Castle: http://www.hearstcastle.org

Hearst Ranch Winery: http://www.hearstranchwinery.com

Karen Cator – Alumni Symposium – March 2, 2011

Antioch University Santa Barbara was proud to host Karen Cator, the Obama Administration's Director of Educational Technology, US Department of Education. Cator's address to the Santa Barbara community is titled Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology, and the event was held on Wednesday, March 2, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, at the Canary Hotel.

Karen Cator has been instrumental in shaping the Obama administration's vision of 21st century opportunities for students using technology to transform teaching and learning. She has been a leading voice at the intersection of education policy and research, emerging technologies, and the reality faced by teachers, students and administrators. Prior to joining the Department of Education, Ms. Cator directed Apple's leadership and advocacy efforts in education. She has been a leading voice at the intersection of education policy and research, emerging technologies, and the reality faced by teachers, students and administrators. 

Below is a video from the evenings presentation.

The event was part of the Alumni Symposium series and a continuation of AUSB’s community collaboration surrounding the presidential inauguration of Dr. Nancy Leffert.

Alumni Holiday Celebration December 16

Alumni Symposium March 8, 2010

Antioch University Santa Barbara’s first-ever alumni symposium on March 8 was a huge success, presenting a distinguished panel of speakers that included three members of the AUSB Board of Trustees delivering remarks to around 130 alumni, faculty, staff and guests. With introductions and welcome from Board of Trustees Chair, Victoria Riskin, the Board of Trustees Forum: The Future of California: Walking Back from the Brink, presented important topics from a panel that included: The Honorable Congresswoman Lois Capps: Representative to the U.S. Congress, District 23, Lou Cannon – Historian; Journalist; White House Correspondent and L.A. Bureau Chief of The Washington Post; and Trustee, Jerry Roberts: Former Managing Editor, The San Francisco Chronicle; former Executive Editor, The Santa Barbara News-Press, Founder, Calbuzz.com; and Trustee, and Susan Rose – Former Supervisor, Santa Barbara County, and Trustee.

Below is a short video of excerpts from the symposium.

AUSB Alumni Profiles

• Leadership Coach, Speaker, Author, Alumni: Jennifer Van Homer, Class of 2003

  

  This month we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Jennifer Van Homer (B.A. Class of 2003) in our spotlight on alumni.

  Jennifer Van Homer, BS, MSC, CHIC firmly believes that excellence in leadership is crucial in order to address organizational challenges and create sustainable change. Jennifer works with leaders and organizations to increase their personal and professional effectiveness by bringing their actions into alignment with their most important commitments and goals.

  One of Jennifer's goals was making time to complete her Bachelor's Degree. She entered Antioch University Santa Barbara in 2000, working as a full-time professional with two children as well. It was at Antioch that Van Homer gained the knowledge and experience of working with others that led her to her current position as a Master Somatic coach, trainer and organizational consultant. She uses sound principles and practices of adult development and somatic awareness.

  Van Homer graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara, in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Business. Her interest in the well being of young people led her to co-create a leadership program for youth at the Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, California. In addition to being a Master Somatic Coach she is also a certified Hudson Institute Coach.

  Jennifer is a sought after leadership coach, author and speaker. Before becoming a coach she worked extensively in Human Resources Leadership, including ten years at Patagonia, a local maker of outdoor clothing, apparel and gear for climbing. She contributed to the formation of the unique corporate culture at Patagonia.

  When asked about WHY she chose AUSB to claim her education, Jennifer Van Homer said: 

  "I chose Antioch because it offered me the flexibility I needed to complete my degree being the mother of two children and working full-time!"

  Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.

  Jennifer shares this message for prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara: 

  "Antioch is a great place to expand your perspectives and learn to coordinate and collaborate with others. The teachers are fantastic and the learning environment is fun and challenging. I was a student in the weekend program which required a lot of collaboration with my cohort. It was a great experience and taught me a lot about teaming. It’s great to be in an adult learning environment and to be in a place that invites the whole student!"

  Jennifer Van Homer lives in Santa Barbara, where she enjoys spending time with her two children and yellow Labrador. She is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, surfing and skiing. Jennifer recently released the book "A Princess and Her Garden – A Fable of Awakening and Arrival" co-written with her mother, Patricia R. Adson, Ph.D. Van Homer is also the co-author of "The Relating Game: 96 Ways to Sustain Passion Over Time", which is a deck of cards designed to stimulate conversation and emotional intimacy with your partner. For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her websites at:

  A Princess and Her Garden http://aprincessandhergarden.com/

  The Relating Game http://therelatinggame.com/

  Leadership Coaching & Consulting http://jennifervanhomer.com/ 

• Lifelong Learner: Sharon Woodlief, Class of 2005

  

  This month we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Sharon Woodlief (M.A. Class of 2005) in our spotlight on alumni.

  Sharon Woodlief's interest in lifelong learning began in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After moving to Santa Barbara to pursue a graduate study program in Political Science she found herself drawn to Psychology.

  Sharon researched graduate programs that could provide a course of study that was rigorous yet consistent with her personal philosophy of Social Justice and Experiential Learning. Once she found Antioch University Santa Barbara, Sharon knew she would be on the right course both academically and personally (an added bonus was the University was located around the corner from where she lived downtown).

  Woodlief graduated from Antioch University Santa Barbara, in 2005 with a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. The photo is of Sharon Woodlief from her graduation from Louisiana State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. It was significant time for her as it was at that graduation that she confirmed her objective to go to graduate school and ultimately find a path that would allow Sharon to continue to enrich her life as well as to encourage Ms. Woodlief to appreciate the world around her.
   
  When asked about her experience at AUSB, Sharon Woodlief said:

  "My classes at Antioch consisted of an array of diverse students, and the class environments were open to allowing all of those hungry and thoughtful scholars to think and challenge one another as well as being encouraged to challenge the brilliant faculty. I felt my knowledge base grow academically because the faculty was prepared to teach with skill and competence. Moreover, I felt my sense of intellect and self-confidence intensify, as I applied theories and ideas not only in my school work but in my community, and even with my family and friends."

  Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.
   
  Sharon shares this message for prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara:

  "There is so much that I learned at Antioch that I still find myself routinely recalling themes and lessons, and in all manner of circumstances in my life. That is what education at Antioch is: taking what is learned in the classroom and applying what is learned throughout one’s life."

  Since graduating from Antioch Santa Barbara in 2005, Woodlief has gone on to earn a Ph.D. in Education from the UCSB, with an emphasis in educational leadership and organizations. Her dissertation research was focused on multicultural awareness education. Sharon worked in Admissions at Fielding Graduate University’s School of Psychology. It was there that she began work with Antioch University Santa Barbara’s current President, Dr. Nancy Leffert. 
   
  Sharon Woodlief is an Editor at Out of the Woods Publishing, Inc. She has just finished work on editing a novel titled: "The Farmhand" authored by former Louisiana correctional officer David Bruce. Woodlief's role in editing this tale on the psychology of people in the Louisiana prison system was based on her background in Clinical Psychology. Sharon Woodlief states, "When you see this book on the New York Times bestseller list and on the silver screen, you heard about it here first, from an Antioch Grad! I am so honored to have been chosen to participate in this work, and I am excited about what the future holds for me." For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sharon-woodlief-ba-ma-phd/3/84b/8ab

• Featured Antioch Graduate Melinda Kincaid is Passionate about Psychology

  

  This month we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Melinda Kincaid (M.A. Class of 2008) in our spotlight on alumni.

  Melinda Kincaid's passion for psychology stems from her belief in establishing a therapeutic bond in the working relationship between client and therapist. She has four years of experience in working interpersonally in the object relations, family systems, and experiential therapies.

  Kincaid began her journey into the study of psychology with an interest in human behavior. She was intrigued with learning about how the brain works and why we do what we do. Kincaid learned that human behavior is varied and diverse, but there are certain commonalities. She found herself drawn to psychology in general from the need to grow personally. To learn more, understand and be content with herself were part of her goals and studies. Lastly, Melinda Kincaid knew that she wanted to help others.

  When asked about her experience at AUSB, Melinda Kincaid said:

  "My Antioch experience was wonderful. They make it a priority not only to educate you, but also to prepare you for actually doing the job when you are done with the academics. Self-awareness, examination, and growth are also important aspects to the Antioch education. Especially in this profession, as a licensed marriage and family therapist, it is essential to challenge and know yourself very well."

  Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.
   
  Melinda shares this message on WHY she chose to attend Antioch University Santa Barbara:

  "I chose Antioch SB for a few reasons. I wanted a very experiential program experience and Antioch Santa Barbara offered that. Also, the accelerated program and schedule worked for me. I was able to attend without having to move from my home in San Luis Obispo, given the one day/week with some weekends class schedule. The Antioch staff and philosophy offers a very well rounded educational experience."

  Mrs. Kincaid is married to her husband, Aaron who is supportive and loving. The two met in high school and were married nine years later in Yosemite, Ca. Having lost both of her parents, Kincaid credits her husband for helping her stay grounded and balanced. The Kincaids recently welcomed the birth of their son, Aden. Since then Melinda has become adamant about living sustainably and consciously with respect to the planet.

  Melinda enjoys spending time in nature: camping, running, hiking, biking, swimming, snowboarding, dance and Bikram yoga. Her volunteer work has included working with at risk youth, informing and inspiring them toward higher education (EAOP). She has also worked with children on their literacy and social skills in JumpStart.

  Melinda Kincaid, MA, LMFT provides individuals, couples and family therapy. She specializes in relationship issues, trauma/PTSD and adolescents. For more information on this Antioch Alumni please visit her Psychology Today profile.

  Read more AUSB featured Alumni stories

• Antioch Alumni Graduates and Organizational Professionals - Steve and Sara Caputo

  Today we feature not one but two Antioch University Santa Barbara graduates – Steve and Sara Caputo! The couple met while attending AUSB in pursuit of their Master's Degrees through our Academic Programs.

  Steve Caputo, Class of 1997 graduated with a Master's Degree in Organizational Management. Since his graduation Steve has been on the adjunct teaching faculty of Antioch Santa Barbara. He is known for engaging his students in experiential learning and drawing from his own professional experience. Steve is a dynamic and creative management professional with over twenty five years of experience in organizational management, corporate training, team building, and facilitation. He calls his style of training methodology, “entertrainment” (a combination of training and entertainment).

  Mr. Caputo currently holds the position of Manager of Organizational Development for Cottage Health System (Cottage Hospital). Of his position at Cottage Steve said, "I feel like I get the opportunity to not just make a difference in the organization but within the community every day."

  Owner of Radiant Organizing and established productivity coach, Sara Caputo (who was recently profiled on the AUSB blog) received her M.A. in Organizational Psychology in 2003. Sara published her first book this year, "The Productivity Puzzle: What's Your Missing Piece?". Mrs. Caputo uses the book in her employee trainings which helps guide the clientele toward creating workflow systems and building on strengths. Sara assists a wide spectrum of organizations and people, including large corporations, non-profit groups, small businesses, independent contractors, educational institutions, financial advisors, and residential clients. Her consulting work ranges from speaking seminars, to time management and priority setting trainings. Sara Caputo also contributes a column in the Santa Barbara News-Press called the Productivity Corner.

  Steve and Sara live in Santa Barbara and are actively involved in the community. The couples greatest creation are their two sons, Benjamin (3.5 years old) and Zack (6 months old).

  When asked about their decision to attend Antioch University Santa Barbara, The Caputo's said:

  Steve, "I wanted to make a change from finance & accounting to organizational development. I looked at many different programs and chose Antioch because of the program flexibility and content."

  Sara, "I had heard about Antioch from many people in the community when I started thinking about getting my masters degree, so I toured it, met with a few professors to assess whether it was right for me and immediately loved the feel of it, so I enrolled. Steve was a friend at the time and really encouraged me to go to Antioch, so this was and continues to be a really nice common bond that we share in our life."

  Steve and Sara share how their AUSB education has helped them with career and life goals:

  Sara, "Antioch helped me to grow up in a way that I didn't recognize that I needed at the time, but looking back now I know it was where I was meant to be on many levels. The care of the instructors, the personal relationships developed and the ability to create my own path and forge ahead into the next level of my life was integral."

  Steve, "I wouldn't be doing what I am doing had it not been for stopping what I was doing and starting something new.  An important practice in my life is meditation and journaling, which I try to do daily. Before Sara and I got married I took a solo camping trip and brought my stack of journals to read. As I was reading through countless entries I found one that was written about 2 years before I went to Antioch that said, “Today I talked to someone that is doing what I want to do…he teaches at a university and does organizational development for an organization” as I read it I thought to myself…“Wow – that’s exactly what I am doing!” So I tell people – be careful of what you dream…because you will get it."

  The Caputo's shares this message to prospective students of Antioch University Santa Barbara:

  Sara, "Come ready to "claim your education"! As with anything you will get out of it what you put in. I put a lot into my education and still hold the professors, the classes, the high level people that I met along the way near and dear to my heart."

  Steve, "I would agree with what Sara said and add that one of the greatest things about Antioch is that it allows you to have flexibility within the structure. So create your own path…one that fits and works for you. Don't limit yourself to what is in the course catalogue; create your own path within the boundaries."

  Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.

  For more information on Steve Caputo, M.A. visit http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steve-caputo. To find Sara Caputo, M.A. Radiant Organizing on the web go to radiantorganizing.com and theproductivitypuzzle.com (e-Book).

  Read more AUSB featured Alumni stories.

• Featured AUSB Graduate Teresa Pena Hibberd is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

  This week we feature Antioch University Santa Barbara graduate Teresa Pena Hibberd (M.A. Class of 2003) in our spotlight on alumni.

  Teresa has applied her education in psychology successfully throughout her seventeen years of experience in the field of career counseling services.

  The Antioch University Santa Barbara 2003 graduate received her Master's Degree in Psychology with an Area of Concentration in Career Counseling. Before attending AUSB Teresa graduated from the University of California at Davis with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Subsequently, she was hired as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – Intern, in the state of Washington where the company contracted directly with the Department of Labor and Industries. Upon completion of her internship, Mrs. Hibberd was hired as a full fledge Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the largest Counseling/Human Recruitment Management company in the state of Washington.  
   
  Teresa Pena Hibberd gained a considerable amount of experience by working directly with highly trained professionals. It was in 1994, that Hibberd decided to pursue, self-employment as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with offices in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Teresa is also fluent in Spanish a valuable skill that has made it easier to assist a broader number of clients with vocational and career counseling services, including micro-business developments as well as federal and civil assignments.  
   
  In 2003, Teresa came to Antioch University Santa Barbara where she obtained an M.A., in the Psychology. While at AUSB Teresa continued to provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and consulted on civil cases. Throughout her professional experience, she's remained informed and up to speed on the economic changes, labor market demands, educational/academic programs and has participated in introductory as well as advanced MBTI psychological personality profile testing. Teresa is currently enrolled in law school to help her gain a broader understanding of the legal profession, while continuing to expand her professional capacities in the business community.  Her interests also include Business Law and Child Advocacy.

  When asked about her experience at AUSB, Teresa Pena Hibberd said:

  "At the time I attended Antioch Santa Barbara University, I lived only 15 minutes away from the campus. Although I worked in Ventura, morning to late afternoon, I never missed my evening classes and kept abreast of all of my homework assignments.  Plus, I enjoyed the convenience of attending weekend classes/seminars where I leisurely walked to the local coffee shop while enjoying conversations with my classmates. Some of my clinical courses helped me immensely, not only in gaining a better understanding of myself but in the application in my career counseling sessions. I believe that education is a life-long investment and "insight" is bliss "

  Read more about the Antioch Santa Barbara Difference.

  Teresa shares this message on WHY she chose to attend Antioch University Santa Barbara:

  "Since I attended primarily a science based Psychology program at the University of California at Davis, I wanted to enhance my skills by seeking an, applied Psychology program where I could gain clinical skills as well as advanced core science courses, which would enable me to become a more well-rounded professional. I also liked the multi-cultural classes offered at Antioch as they broaden my understanding of other cultures."

  Read more AUSB featured Alumni stories.