About Us

What motivates you the most in your role?

What motivates me the most is seeing how my students grow. Many of them enter the program without a finance background, or they view the program as a way to achieve social mobility. Watching their progress—both academically and personally—is deeply rewarding.

After they graduate, I stay in touch to see where their careers take them, offer support through my network, and connect them with new opportunities. It’s especially meaningful to see alumni begin helping each other and supporting our current cohort—through mock interviews, resume reviews, and informal meetups.

Together, they’re building a strong ecosystem of MSFA students and alumni—a network where each of them starts as a seed and grows into a forest.

What’s one skill every graduate student should develop before entering the workforce?

The most important skill is to be a lifelong learner—to stay curious, stay hungry, stay humble, and stay positive. The learning doesn’t stop at graduation; it only changes form.

After meeting with students over time, I can often tell—without even looking at their transcripts or GPAs—who will thrive in the job market. The difference usually comes down to mindset: those who are genuinely interested and passionate about what they do stand out.

If you remain open to learning, adaptable to change, and driven by curiosity, you’ll continue to grow no matter where your career takes you.

What’s something about CSULB or its students that inspire you?

Since joining CSULB, I’ve been continually inspired by the dedication of our students. On the first day of class, I always ask them to write a short self-introduction. Through these, I’ve learned that many of our students are full-time working professionals who commute long hours, support families, and finance their own education.

This level of commitment and perseverance is truly remarkable. It reminds me to put myself in their shoes—to understand that when students come to class unprepared or without much practice, it’s not a lack of effort but a reflection of their human limits.

Because of that, I strive to teach in a direct, supportive way and to keep my courses as structured and organized as possible, so that every student—no matter their circumstances—has a fair chance to succeed.