Instructional Design Team

Mariza Hernandez
Assistant Director, Instructional Design & Accessibility

Mariza is the Assistant Director of Instructional Design and Accessibility at ATS and has worked on campus since 2007. She received a BS in 3D Computer Animation, BA in Media Arts from Chico State University, and an MS in Instructional Design and Technology from CSU Fullerton

Mariza is enthusiastic about and actively involved in applying innovative technology that enhances learners’ involvement through dynamic and interactive experiences. Before joining the ATS team, Mariza worked with students with disabilities, where her passion for accessibility and equal access to digital content and technology grew. She loves developing and learning about new e-learning technologies and developing learning environments that are appealing to the varied needs of adult learners. She is a member of the CSU Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) Steering Committee and is committed to creating a culture of inclusive learning and working environment.

When Mariza is not working, she enjoys traveling and learning about new cultures. She appreciates trying unusual foods and has often been labeled as an adrenaline junkie by friends and family. When she is not traveling, you can find her at the park having a picnic and people watching with her Shih Tzu, Lucille.

Maria Aceituno

CSULB College Affiliation: CED, CLA

Maria has been in the education field for over 20 years, starting in K-12 as a math and science teacher before moving into higher education. She has experience teaching face-to-face, hybrid, and online courses at the university level. Maria has a BA in Liberal Studies and an MA in Teaching and Learning with Technology. As an Instructional Designer, her goals are to help provide students with a robust learning experience by helping faculty design their courses and serving on committees that broaden student experience on campus.

In her personal time, she enjoys arts and crafts hobbies and studying history through the viewpoint of fashion.

Afifa Alawi

CSULB College Affiliation: CHHS, COB

Afifa Alawi has been in the field of education technology for the past 20 years and at CSULB for the past 6 years. She started her career at El Camino College as an educational technologist. She has also tutored students in different levels of mathematical concepts. She has a BS in Business Finance and an MA in Educational Technology and Media Leadership, both from CSULB. She is a lifelong learner and eager to learn new and upcoming educational technology trends. Afifa’s passion is to support faculty and the campus community with their technological needs.

In her spare time, Afifa enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, daughter, and son.

Tom Bijesse

Tom Bijesse joined the ATS team in August 2021 after nine years of working in K-16 Computer Science Education. Tom started his career as a High School Computer Science teacher at a public school in New York City and later transitioned to working as an instructional designer, curriculum developer, and director for multiple ed-tech non-profits across three countries. Tom holds a BS in Technology Education from SUNY Oswego and a MS in Management of Technology from New York University. His career passions include expanding his reach in higher education to ensure today's university students are prepared to succeed in an ever-changing world of work.

In his free time, Tom can be found surfing, rock climbing, camping and generally enjoying the outdoors!

Sabrina Dean

CSULB College Affiliation: CLA, COTA, CPIE

Sabrina holds a BA in Social Science and a Master’s in Business Administration has and has been working in the Academic Technology field for over 14 years. She started her career as an Academic Technology Support Specialist with Brandman University (now UMass Global) in 2007 and became an Instructional Designer when she joined the CSULB ATS family in June of 2020. She is passionate about supporting faculty and students to enhance their teaching and learning experiences and recognizes there is not a “one-size-fits-all” formula when it comes to technology and pedagogy. Each experience is unique.

Sabrina also enjoys video games, puzzles, walks, books, and movies.

Joseph Guillén

New to the team, Joseph Guillén is a Southern California native who fell in love with the design and art process early on in his Film and Visual Culture undergrad program. Working as a technical trainer for Apple led to a career as a media arts and technology educator. His combined interests in instruction, design and technology presented a distinct path to earning his MA in Educational Technology Leadership. Joseph is passionate about promoting 21st-century skills for our communities and is ecstatic to join CSULB.

In his free time, you can spot Joseph riding his bike carefree through Long Beach, backpacking across California’s national parks, and rocking out on his bass and drums./p>

Chad Harris

CSULB College Affiliation: CHHS, CLA, COTA, CPIE

Chad joined CSU Long Beach as an Instructional Designer in September of 2020. Chad obtained his Ph.D. in Communications from UCSD and since 2006, Chad has taught Communications at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, Clovis Community College, and other online institutions. While teaching at San Diego State University, he began replicating and adapting principles of learning theory to the design of online courses and multi-media learning spaces as a Faculty Fellow in the Course Design Institute. His training and experience in instructional design include coaching faculty at various institutions including SDSU, Tulane University, Wake Forest University, and Cal State Northridge. He has also built and directed instructional design teams at various higher education institutions.

In his spare time, Chad enjoys reading history, science fiction, and noir crime novels. He also likes to listen to music at high volume, spend time attempting to comprehend his teenage kids, and try his best to stay in shape.

Ashley Huyge

Ashley is from upstate New York where she received her bachelor’s in Theatre Arts before moving to Los Angeles as a voiceover talent recording for commercials, animation and games. She made her transition into facilitation as a voiceover workshop leader before pursuing her MA in Instructional Design from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. She has worked as a learning designer and course facilitator for a variety of industries, including sales, entertainment, aerospace, and non-profit. Her process leverages effective instructional design principles with technology, storytelling, research, and analysis-driven goals.

In her free time, Ashley enjoys books, museums, crafts, and coffee.

Jennifer Lares

CSULB College Affiliation: CED, CLA, COTA

Jennifer has been an Instructional Designer at CSULB for the last 7 years. Additional university experience includes student support services roles, like supplemental instruction, advising, and transcript evaluation. Her educational background includes a BA in Comparative Literature from San Diego State University (SDSU), a Certificate in Technical and Professional Writing, and an MA in Educational Technology and Media Leadership from CSULB. Jennifer’s philosophy for instructional design is that learning is an evolving practice. There is always something new to learn, try out, and improve.

A few of Jennifer's current hobbies include finding new walking trails, spending time with her dog, and checking out the latest on Netflix.

Mark Lim

CSULB College Affiliation: CHHS, COE, CPIE

Mark is a lifelong learner who enjoys helping people make the most of technology and is happy to have found his niche as an instructional designer. Prior to joining ATS, he earned an M.Ed. in Instructional Design and Technology and then worked as an instructional technologist at the University of Cincinnati. He completed undergraduate studies in his home state of New York at Binghamton University in Political Science and Economics, focusing on international development.

A year volunteering in South Africa originally sparked his interest in edtech, since a computer lab became a hub for rural students to discover extraordinary opportunities. He continues to be excited by ways technology can be a force for good, while mindful that newer isn’t always better.

Suspecting he had a West Coast spirit, he joined ATS in an epic road trip just before the pandemic and nonetheless fell in love with Long Beach culture and cuisine. In his free time, he enjoys reading/listening to popular science audiobooks, longboarding the Shoreline bike path, and plotting trips around California's enormous parks.

Chrystal Maggiore

CSULB College Affiliation: CNSM, COE, CPIE

Chrystal is a SoCal Native who joined ATS in October 2020 with over twenty years of experience in education. She holds a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, and an M.Ed. in Learning, Design, and Technology with a focus on Educational Technology from The Pennsylvania State University. Chrystal taught middle school science before moving on to roles at the district and county level supporting educators with technology in their classrooms. At Penn State, she taught courses on Science Education Methodology for pre-service teachers and a graduate-level course on Online Teaching. Chrystal enjoys working with video, simulations, and other digital media to support learning. In her free time, Chrystal enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and finding the best hacks for discount luxury travel. Since the pandemic, she started playing golf, so you may find her perfecting her swing at one of our many local Long Beach golf courses.

Adam Mitchell

CSULB College Affiliation: CED, COB, COE

Adam Mitchell has been in the Educational Technology field for over 10 years and enjoys being on staff at CSULB as an instructional Designer. He holds an undergraduate degree from California State University, Monterey Bay in Liberal Studies, and an MS degree in Educational Technology from California State University, Fullerton. In addition, he has earned multiple certificates from Quality Matters, most notably certified as a Master Reviewer and Course Facilitator. Adam also has higher education teaching experience facilitating upper-division courses in multiple modalities including hybrid and online. Adam believes a continuous improvement model is best when approaching course design and enjoys the time spent with CSULB faculty in facilitating the course design process.

In his free time, Adam also enjoys studying and applying automotive engineering, exercising, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

Paul Quezada

CSULB College Affiliation: CHHS, CLA, CNSM

Paul Quezada is a committed advocate for creating inclusive and accessible course design. After earning a bachelor's degree in Social Work from CSULB, he began working full-time for the CSULB Technology Help Desk in 2013 and went on to receive an MS in Educational Technology and Media Leadership in 2018. Combining his education and professional work experience, Paul is excited to provide extensive user support and introduce faculty to innovative tools which help improve course accessibility and foster an inclusive learning environment. An area of focus for Paul is the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, which informs his teaching philosophy that every learner can thrive in a pedagogically sound online learning environment. During his time with Academic Technology Services (ATS), Paul’s goal is to collaboratively work with faculty and provide course design consultation to successfully implement best practices unique for each course.

When he is not working, Paul can be found training for a marathon, practicing his photography composition, or lounging in a hammock.

Jamie Reim

CSULB College Affiliation: CLA, CNSM, COB

Jamie Reim has a passion for financial literacy and education. He earned his BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and an MS in Instructional Design and Technology, both at California State University, Fullerton. Before joining the CSULB family, he worked for a dental company in the private sector as an instructional designer implementing Epic software, a popular medical patient record software used in 52% of the US health industry. Jamie now works with CSULB faculty to provide course design consultation and present professional development programs for faculty.

In his off time, Jamie also enjoys trying out new foods and restaurants while keeping up with the stock and crypto markets.

Roger Strang

CSULB College Affiliation: CHHS, COB, CPIE

Roger is passionate about educational values like critical thinking and self-directed learning. He studied education at Boston College in the Donovan Urban Teaching Scholars Program and taught 6th grade in Massachusetts before becoming interested in multimedia and technology for learning. His next stop was Carnegie Mellon University where he earned an MS in Educational Technology and Applied Learning Science. After working at an educational technology company for a couple of years, he joined the CSULB Instructional Design team and couldn’t be happier. Roger loves working with instructors and being a part of an educational institution.

One of his favorite projects has been co-creating a faculty spotlight with his colleagues and several professors. He takes pride in facilitating enjoyable faculty development sessions. For fun, Roger likes to stay in shape, practice improv, and listen to music.